A closer look at DepEd and the Secretary of Education

WITH the resignation of Vice President Sara Duterte from her Cabinet post as Secretary of Education, there have been a lot of names being floated around to succeed her in taking over one of the most important administrative agencies in government. Given the urgency to fill the position, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that the appointment of the next education secretary would happen before the end of the week as of this writing. Given that,...

Search for Jay Slater in Tenerife called off by Spanish police

Spanish police have called off the search for missing teenager Jay Slater in Tenerife, according to reports. The 19-year-old, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, disappeared after setting off to walk back to his accommodation on the holiday island on June 17.

Proper method of photographic identification

Dear PAO, A man was killed while attending our town's foundation day festivities. The police conducted an initial investigation. However, since the initial witnesses could not positively identify any suspect, the police entered into its blotter entry "unidentified suspects still at large." During the trial, the same witnesses now claimed to have identified with certainty the suspects after being shown, at the police station, the pictures of...

Teves can be extradited by end of July, says DOJ

MANILA, Philippines — Former lawmaker turned murder suspect Arnolfo Teves Jr. could be brought back to the Philippines by July to finally face the multiple murder charges filed against him here, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Saturday. In a news forum in Quezon City, Mico Clavano, spokesperson for the DOJ, said they expected a favorable decision even if Teves’ camp appealed the Timor-Leste Court of Appeals’ decision granting the...

Senate studying inclusion of Bagong Pilipinas hymn in flag ceremony

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate secretariat is still studying the inclusion of the Bagong Pilipinas hymn and pledge in the upper chamber’s flag ceremony, Senate President Francis Escudero said on Sunday. He made the remark after the House of Representatives issued a memorandum enjoining all in the lower chamber to recite the Bagong Pilipinas hymn and pledge during their flag ceremony. “I personally see no problem including it in the...

Bishops’ plenary assembly to take place in CDO

The country’s Catholic bishops will meet in the southern city of Cagayan de Oro for their 128th plenary assembly next week. This will be the first time that the bishops’ high-level meeting will be held in the Mindanao region. More than 80 bishops are expected to attend the July 6 to 8 assembly at the […]

Suspected North Korean ties to Ukraine conflict alarm Pentagon

PAOCC receives death threats amid illegal POGO probe

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said Sunday some of its personnel have received death threats amid its investigation into the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs. “Well opo, kami ay nakakatanggap ng ilang mga pagbabanta. Pero siguro po naman ay 'yun ay mga pananakot lamang,” PAOCC spokesperson Winston John Casio said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview. (Yes, we have been receiving some threats. But maybe...

Four dead, two missing after Swiss landslide, police say

Four people died and two were missing in Switzerland on Sunday after violent thunderstorms and melting snow caused flooding and landslides in two southern cantons, police said. Three of the victims were killed early on Sunday in a landslide in the remote Maggia valley, in the Italian-speaking Alpine canton of Ticino, police said in a statement. The...

Basic education

HE said that he would have a Secretary of Education at the end of last week, but President Bongbong Marcos has admitted that selecting one is more difficult than he had earlier thought. He has asked for more time to make a choice. At the commencement of his administration, he did not have to wait at all since the vice president, Inday Sara Duterte, volunteered for the post and by express provision of the Constitution, no confirmation by the...

Village polling station moved to new location

It has been moved due to "an issue in the room booked at the village hall", a council says.

Police motorcyclist taken to hospital after crash

The man's injuries are not believed to be serious, say Leicestershire Police.

Guided bomb attack on Ukraine's Kharkiv kills one, injures eight, officials say

(Reuters) - Russian forces attacked the centre of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second- largest city, with a guided bomb, killing one person, injuring eight and setting ablaze buildings and vehicles, officials said. Mayor Ihor Terekhov, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said the bomb hit near the city centre, triggering a fire. He put the death toll at one, with an 8-month-old infant among the injured.

Kanlaon remains under alert Level 2

MANILA, Philippines — Despite the recent elevated gas emission, Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Occidental remains under alert Level 2, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol yesterday said state seismologists could not yet increase the alert level as they were still monitoring the volcano’s activity. “Sometimes it is high, sometimes it is low,” Bacolcol said, referring to Kanlaon’s gas...

Furious Scots slam post vote chaos as they fly out without voting

Furious holiday makers jetted off from Glasgow over the weekend having been robbed off the chance to have a say in Thursday's election amid the postal vote shambles.

Homeless man accused of stabbing stranger to death is amateur artist

Forrest Stevenson, 36, has been charged with murder after Andres Malmis Pancha, 45, was allegedly killed at Frankston pier at 6am on Saturday.

BulSU students present papers at intl conference

FOUR AB Literatura: Maikling Pagsulat students of Bulacan State University College of Arts and Letters (BulSU-CAL) presented their respective research papers during the 7 th International Conference of Asian and Philippine Studies (ICAPS) held in Baguio City on May 30 to June 1, 2024. BulSU President Teddy San Andres informed that the presented papers and the student presenters include "Makapakitbi sa Atay: Iba pang mga Pagdadalamhati" by Kyt...

North Korea says US, South Korea and Japan developing ‘Asian NATO’

The claim comes after Washington, Seoul and Tokyo began joint military exercises on Thursday.

Officer who accessed confidential files 'immature'

PC Oliver Platts admits to the breaches, saying it is “a case of misplaced enthusiasm”.

Man told to tear down 8ft fence by 'ridiculous' council 'buffoons'

Residents of Derby's Limes Avenue had thanked their lucky stars when Matt Hubbard and his family moved into the grade II listed cottage two years ago.

43 Negros Occidental barangays declared rebel-free

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Forty-three more barangays in Negros Occidental have been declared free from the presence of communists insurgents, according to Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson. Each rebel-free barangay is proposed to receive P10 million worth of infrastructure projects as part of the support to barangay development program (SBDP) of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Lacson said. The proposed budget for infrastructure...

PNP chief orders cops: Stop moonlighting

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil yesterday directed PNP personnel to stop moonlighting as security escorts for private persons and instead focus on public safety. Marbil issued the directive to ensure that police personnel are ready to respond promptly to citizens’ complaints and emergencies. “Our duty is to ensure the safety of the people. Police must be available at all times to address the...

Two injured in light aircraft crash at country house

The light aircraft crash at Heveningham Hall, Halesworth, is the second in Suffolk this weekend.

5 dead in Zamboanga City fireworks warehouse blast

An explosion at a fireworks warehouse in Zamboanga City's Barangay Tetuan on Saturday killed five people and injured at least 24 others. According to a Sunday GMA Integrated News Bulletin, the blast shattered windows and damaged several houses near the warehouse. Authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion. Meanwhile, GMA Regional TV's Efren Mamac reported on 24 Oras Weekend that among those killed in the explosion were the...

Video shows US police officer fatally shooting 13-year-old on ground

Police in New York state, where the incident occurred, say the teenage boy was carrying a replica gun.

Construction of Cebu City Medical Center enters 10th year

NINE years and three mayors ago, the Cebu City government began the construction of the new Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC). It was to be a modern, 10-story medical facility catering to the residents of Cebu City in general, the lower-income residents in particular. The need for a new city-owned hospital was obvious: the old CCMC building was rendered unsafe after the Oct. 15, 2013 earthquake of 7.2 magnitude. Hospital operations were...

'Tulong Pambaon' program helps students finish primary education

ONE of the most cherished Filipino values, the bayanihan spirit embodies communal unity, cooperation and civil efforts to address social issues. This spirit drives the corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs of companies such as the Investment and Capital Corporation of the Philippines (ICCP), the flagship company of the ICCP Group. A diversified conglomerate engaged in financial services, property development and exhibition facilities,...

Searca director urges NVSU graduates to tackle agri challenges

SOUTHEAST Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) director Glenn Gregorio delivered the commencement speech at the 20th Commencement Exercises of Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) held at the Carlos M. Padilla Convention Center on Thursday, June 27, 2024. Speaking before graduates, faculty and guests, Gregorio emphasized the vital role that every graduate can play in addressing agricultural challenges...

World failed in attaining devt goals – UN

UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations warned that only 17 percent of its 169 targets to improve life for the world's more than 7 billion people are on track to be reached by the 2030 deadline. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres launched the annual report saying, "It shows the world is getting a failing grade." World leaders adopted the 17 wide-ranging development goals from ending global poverty to achieving gender equality in 2015 and set 169...

What Palaszczuk has said about enforcing the tough Covid restrictions

Annastacia Palaszczuk has opened up on what she really thought about her Covid policies after separating dying people from their families because of border closures.

Two more delegations added in Palaro

CEBU CITY — The Department of Education announced Friday that the National Academy for Sports and Philippine schools from overseas will be joining the Palarong Pambansa 2024, adding two new official delegations to the event. Adolf Aguilar, assistant superintendent for the Cebu City Division, said that with these additions, the total number of participating delegations will rise to 19. Originally, only the 17 regions of the country were...

Dela Rosa’s refusal to attend drug war probe ‘a cowardly act’ – Castro

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ronald Dela Rosa’s decision to skip the House of Representatives probe into former President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war is “a cowardly act” and “an attempt to evade accountability,” a lawmaker said on Sunday. ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro said this after Dela Rosa, the Philippine National Police (PNP) chief during the Duterte administration, said he would only face the allegations against him and the...

Coalition-building as an exercise in political shape-shifting

LAST week, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that his political party, the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, has entered into an alliance with the National Unity Party as he seeks to expand the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas, a coalition he is building ahead of next year's midterm election. The NUP is the fourth party to join the Alyansa, and many more political groups are expected to sign up. The President's announcement came just days...

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte urged support for Ukraine, EU and NATO in his farewell speech

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Long-serving Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte urged his country to support Ukraine and international cooperation in his final address to his compatriots Sunday, as an inward-looking new government is set to take over the Netherlands in two days. “It is crucial that our country is embedded in the European Union and NATO. Together we are stronger than alone. Especially now,” the 57-year-old Rutte said from his office...

Vice President Sara rejects tag as opposition leader

Duterte not running for senator DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte disagreed with claims that she is now the leader of the opposition against the Marcos administration. Her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, meanwhile said he would not run for a Senate seat in the May 2025 midterm elections, contrary to Sara’s June 25 announcement. “Based on my work, my character and my principles, I don’t act for the benefit of the...

Council warns students over cannabis parties

Neighbours report cannabis use and loud, late night parties as the academic year ends.

Nearly 300 million use drugs globally – UN report

MANILA, Philippines — The United Nations agency tackling crime and drug abuse released its annual World Drug Report warning that there are now nearly 300 million users globally, alongside an increase in trafficking. According to the World Drug Report 2024 launched by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the number of people who use drugs rose to 292 million in 2022, a 20-percent increase over 10 years. Cannabis remains the most widely used...

‘Name ex-Cabinet official who lobbied for illegal POGOs’

MANILA, Philippines — Senators challenged the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) to name the former Cabinet official who allegedly facilitated the grant of gaming licenses to Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) so as not to cast doubt on all other former members of the Cabinet. Senate President Francis Escudero said if PAGCOR fails to name this former Cabinet official, then his colleagues Senators Risa Hontiveros and Sherwin...

Israeli tanks advance into areas in north and south Gaza

By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Kamel Hamdan CAIRO/GAZA (Reuters) -Israeli forces advanced further on Sunday into the Shejaia neighbourhood of northern Gaza and also pushed deeper into western and central Rafah in the south, killing at least six Palestinians and destroying several homes, residents said. Israeli tanks, which moved back into Shejaia four days ago, fired shells towards several houses,

France heads to the polls! Le Pen votes in first round of election

Le Pen votes in first round of France elections. The National Rally (RN) party have taken centre stage in France's parliamentary election campaign, after the RN trounced Emmanuel Macron's party in the early June European elections.

Red Cross receives P60M donation from Okada Foundation to build new blood center in Cavite

OFFICIALS of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) national head office and its Cavite chapter were on hand recently to receive a donation from the Okada Foundation amounting to P60 million, which will fund the construction of a new building for the PRC Cavite Chapter in Vermosa Complex in Imus. The soon-to-rise building, which sits on 859 sqm of property donated by Ayala Land Inc., will serve as the primary blood center in Cavite. It will provide...

Baguio Midland Courier to cease publication after 77 years

The Baguio Midland Courier on Sunday announced that it will cease its operation in July after 77 years of covering weekly news in Northern Luzon. In a notice posted on Facebook, the Courier said the community newspaper was “not spared from the worldwide trend that newspapers are facing unprecedented challenges.” “The decision to cease publication was a difficult one, and the management deeply regrets any impact this may have on our esteemed...

PNU launches students meal program

THE Philippine Normal University (PNU) launched the PNU Meal Assistance to Learners under Special Populations (PNU MeALS) held at the PNU HRD Amphitheater on June 18, 2024. The meal program aims to provide qualified students with a continuous and sustainable source of their food to foster a more holistic and sound schooling. PNU Office of the Vice President for Student Success and Stakeholders Services (OVP-SSSS) and the PNU Student Affairs and...

UK Reform leader Farage positive after 'tough' few days

LONDON (Reuters) -Nigel Farage, leader of Britain's right-wing Reform UK party, said his party was doing better than expected after a "tough" few days, as he addressed supporters at a rally with days to go before the country votes on July 4. Farage, one of the country's most recognisable and divisive politicians, has been a thorn in the side for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservative party as

Man shot before stolen car set on fire, police say

A man from Sheffield was shot after he and another man met a group of men in Wallasey, police say.

Zelenskyy appeals to West to relax targeting limits for Ukraine as glide bombs hammer front line

DONETSK REGION, Ukraine (AP) — Drone footage from Ukraine’s military released Sunday has shown what appears to be bodies in a civilian area in the embattled eastern town of Toretsk, which has come under heavy Russian bombardment in recent days. The attacks in the war-torn Donetsk region have prompted a scaled-up evacuation effort by Ukrainian rescue services. Local officials said that powerful Russian glide bombs have also been used in the town,...

Immigration not a big issue in Wales, say Reform

Nigel Farage's party says immigration has been discussed more on the doorstep in England than Wales.

Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 856

As the war enters its 856th day, these are the main developments.

Health workers in spotlight at 4th Palace KSP concert

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino health care workers were given the spotlight yesterday during the fourth installment of the Konsyerto sa Palasyo (KSP), a concert series that seeks to recognize the contributions of various sectors to nation-building. The Kalayaan Grounds at Malacañang was filled with serenades and tributes for the health care sector during the “KSP: Para sa ating mga Healthcare Workers,” which was witnessed by President Marcos,...

British teacher, 30, jailed abroad reveals 'inhumane' living standards

British teacher - Jamie Morton, 30, - who was behind bars in a Thai prison for five months has spoken out about the 'inhumane' conditions of his cramped cell with 180 convicts.